Piggymomma29
New Born Pup
Hi everyone, I'm new here and would really appreciate any help or advice that anyone can offer.
My male, unneutered guinea pig who is 4 years old was recently diagnosed with a kidney stone after a previous diagnosis of a unitary track infection.
The stone was successfully removed and his bladder flushed to remove sludge. He was then prescribed Buprenorhine, Loxicom, Co-trim and Potassium Citrate (the latter as a life-long treatment twice daily)
After the initial couple of days where he was a little under the weather, he seemed to recover well and was back to his usual self. However, the operation was 6 weeks ago and his vocalizing during urination has returned accompanied by straining and hunching. He is obviously in a great deal of discomfort and was off his food/drink for a few days. He also seemed to be suffering from diarrhea (which was most likely my fault as I was giving him water in a syringe to keep him hydrated)
After a further visit to the vets, a scan shows that another kidney stone has formed. He was weighed and had lost 30% of his body weight (he is a naturally slight pig to begin with) He has been prescribed Metacam daily which does not seem to be easing his discomfort at all.
I have asked the vet whether it would be possible to prescribe stronger pain relief for Mickey, together with an antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory. I have also asked whether there is any medication that can dissolve the stone as the vet does not think he will survive another surgery, and even if he does, another stone is likely to form. The vet is awaiting a response from a specialist but in the meantime Mickey is suffering.
I am told that I need to consider euthanasia. This is a last resort for me and I would like to try any and every other option before this is decided. I am conscious however that in the meantime Mickey is extremely uncomfortable and in pain.
I must add however, that apart from when he is urinating he seems to be his usual perky self. His appetite and water intake have increased (I have also been supplementing this with syringe feeds) he will happily churp for his veggies in the morning and eat treats as usual and is more than happy to be petted and stroked. He is not docile or inactive in his cage. He seems alert and energetic the rest of the time.
I'm not ready to give up on my little guy, and I don't think that he is ready to give up either. Perhaps I'm fooling myself as I really don't want to make the difficult decision to have him put to sleep, but I'm prepared to do this if it really is the only option.
Please can I have your advice as to whether there is any treatment options that have not been mentioned and if it would in fact be the kindest option to have him euthanized.
I'm so heartbroken and upset that I need an outside perspective to provide some clarity.
Thank you in advance.
My male, unneutered guinea pig who is 4 years old was recently diagnosed with a kidney stone after a previous diagnosis of a unitary track infection.
The stone was successfully removed and his bladder flushed to remove sludge. He was then prescribed Buprenorhine, Loxicom, Co-trim and Potassium Citrate (the latter as a life-long treatment twice daily)
After the initial couple of days where he was a little under the weather, he seemed to recover well and was back to his usual self. However, the operation was 6 weeks ago and his vocalizing during urination has returned accompanied by straining and hunching. He is obviously in a great deal of discomfort and was off his food/drink for a few days. He also seemed to be suffering from diarrhea (which was most likely my fault as I was giving him water in a syringe to keep him hydrated)
After a further visit to the vets, a scan shows that another kidney stone has formed. He was weighed and had lost 30% of his body weight (he is a naturally slight pig to begin with) He has been prescribed Metacam daily which does not seem to be easing his discomfort at all.
I have asked the vet whether it would be possible to prescribe stronger pain relief for Mickey, together with an antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory. I have also asked whether there is any medication that can dissolve the stone as the vet does not think he will survive another surgery, and even if he does, another stone is likely to form. The vet is awaiting a response from a specialist but in the meantime Mickey is suffering.
I am told that I need to consider euthanasia. This is a last resort for me and I would like to try any and every other option before this is decided. I am conscious however that in the meantime Mickey is extremely uncomfortable and in pain.
I must add however, that apart from when he is urinating he seems to be his usual perky self. His appetite and water intake have increased (I have also been supplementing this with syringe feeds) he will happily churp for his veggies in the morning and eat treats as usual and is more than happy to be petted and stroked. He is not docile or inactive in his cage. He seems alert and energetic the rest of the time.
I'm not ready to give up on my little guy, and I don't think that he is ready to give up either. Perhaps I'm fooling myself as I really don't want to make the difficult decision to have him put to sleep, but I'm prepared to do this if it really is the only option.
Please can I have your advice as to whether there is any treatment options that have not been mentioned and if it would in fact be the kindest option to have him euthanized.
I'm so heartbroken and upset that I need an outside perspective to provide some clarity.
Thank you in advance.